Pat McDaniel's says he's a good pick for City Council because he has previous experience on council, was born and raised in Decatur, is on a couple boards, and says he makes a point of "Knowing what's going on. I keep my ear to the ground."
This is a recap of a March 3rd interview on WAND for Pat McDaniel's City Council Campaign
A little about your background
- born & raised in decatur
- came back after serving in vietnam war
- served for several national companies
- Was executive Director of Macon County History Museum when he retired in 2013
Tell us about your time in office
- was on city council for 10 years after several tries
- started in 2011
- needed sabattical, had medical problems & his mother was dying & he was the only caregiver
- He was approached and asked before thanksgiving if he would run
- "I love Decatur and I want to see it prosper"
- With 10 years on the council, he says he has a lot of experience with the financing & what's going on
- Was involved with neighborhood organizations, which is "dear to my heart"
- lived in 9 different rental properties throughout the inner city by the time he was in junior high school
Things you're Most proud of from your time on council
- neighborhood revitalization efforts
- funding of the police & fire department
- "You want to make sure safety is number one in our community"
- "making sure our great infrastructure is maintained and improved"
- "Our businesses rely on that" (our infrastructure)
What would be some of your other key focuses if re-elected?
- was doing neighborhood walks previously & thinks that's important, including dialogue with residents
- Says he goes to different meetings, including community and government meetings, to see what's going on
What makes yourself more qualified than other council candidates?
- Previous experience on council
- being born & raised in Decatur
- "Knowing what's going on. I keep my ear to the ground."
- Driving around neighborhoods to see what's going on
- Used to ride city bus, in the back, just to observe better than he can if driving
- presently is still liquor commissioner
- was liquor commissioner for four years
- is on a "couple boards and things like that"
- "It's just not twice a month meetings. You've gotta get out there to see what's going on, listen to the people."
Last things you want voters to know about you
- "You've gotta have heart to take on a job representing the people of the community"
- "I represent everybody, whether it's the just the residents [or] business community"
- "You've gotta have heart or you can't do your job right"